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Daniel Varela Obituary
June 15, 1949 - October 11, 2017
San Leandro
Dan lived life with passion. He loved his family deeply. He is survived by his lifelong partner of 50 years, Penny; and his five children, Liz (Riley) Sarah (Doug), Jonas (Jenny), Bekka and Emily (Paul), along with nine grandchildren, Owen, Arai, Evy, Penny, Max, Mimi, Joaquin, Tommy and Mack. He is also survived by his cherished family, including his mother Carmen Varela, his sister and brother, Carmen and Steve (Linda), his sister-in-law Kathie Renick, and his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews.
He cared fiercely about his Teamster family - he worked tirelessly for 50 years with his Union brothers and sisters. He started as a truck driver with Garrett Freightlines. He then served as a Business Agent for Local 70, Local 78 and Local 853. The union he loved gave his family so much - great health care, a meaningful pension, and an abiding belief in the power of collective action against the "powers that be". Solidarity was his religion.
Dan cheered passionately for his beloved 49ers from the age of 5 years old. We all became experts at swearing and trash talking by hanging out with him during 49er games. He was a life-long athlete. He played football in his youth at San Leandro High and Sonoma State. He was also a world-class powerlifter – he holds the world record for Master Powerlifters Age 55-59 in the squat (amateur, 745 lbs), bench press (pro, 600 lbs), deadlift (pro, 625 lbs) and total points in amateur (1870 lbs) and professional categories (2010 lbs).
Most importantly, he was the best father, a devoted husband, and a dedicated Teamster brother. Memorial donations may be made to the Teamsters Joint Council #7 All Charities Fund, Building Futures With Women and Children, or the 49ers' offense. Eternal solidarity.
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Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Varela
Sponsored by East Bay Times.
Julia Ramirez
March 16, 2024
You are always in my heart. Thank you for all the memories and love. You are deeply missed
Bob Church
March 29, 2018
This is probably out of place, but I grew up in San Leandro (Halcyon, Bancroft, and San Leandro High). I was perusing San Leandro history and ran across this memorial. I remember Dan. He was 6 years older than me. I remember watching him practice the shot-put. I don't remember where (Halcyon Elementary?) When I left SL High I believe his name was on all of the shot-put records. Whenever I watched him he treated me like I wasn't a bother. Good person. I'm sorry for your loss.
Rebecca Dahlgren
November 15, 2017
My Dear Cousin Danny,
I will always hold you close to my heart. This world won't be the same without your wonderful sense of humor, wit, kindness, beautiful smile and those twinkling eyes. I will always cherish my childhood memories of you and my adulthood memories of our cousin reunions. You were a bright light on this earth and will continue shining bright in heaven. I love you.
Deanna & Quint Williams
October 29, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Our condolences to the Varela family during this time.
Rest in peace Dan.
Dan Scharff
October 26, 2017
We all loved having Dan working out at the Bay-O-Vista gym. He was an inspiration. He was always willing to give us a word of advice or caution or show us how to do a lift. He is missed.
Debbie McNutt
October 25, 2017
Sharing in your sorrow and hoping all the treasured memories left behind will help. Danny was a very loving, humorous and sweet cousin and I feel blessed to have been a part of his life. With sincere love & prayers.
Nancy Samson
October 21, 2017
Dan was the best of the best. I remember he sat in back of me when we were at City College. He was raising his first child with him wife, working full time and going to City College.He was trying so hard to keep his eyes open in what must have been a very boring class. Dan was a gentle man and a gentleman.
Ron Barrett
October 21, 2017
My sincerest condolences to the Varela family. I met Dan in high school and played football and entered weight lifting contests together. I was horrible at both and Dan would always encourage me to do my best. After high school I was inspired by his devotion to family, work and friends. We also discussed through our mutual friend, Linda T. regarding updates to our illness. I am proud to have been your friend Dan and may you r.i.p.
Ron Barrett
October 21, 2017
My sincerest condolences to the Varela family. I met Dan in high school where we entered weight lifting events together and played football together. I was horibble at both but Dan would encourage me to always do better. In the past few years, Dan continued to inspire me with his devotion to family, work and stories about mutual friends. We would also communicate through our mutual friend Linda T, the status of our illness. Dan left a legacy we should all try to follow. Proud to be your friend Dan and r.i.p.
Barrie (Dunn) Minadeo-Knutson
October 20, 2017
So very sorry to hear of Dan's passing. We went to SLHS together. We missed him at our 50th reunion. We all knew something was not right if Dan wasn't there, Deepest sympathy for your lost of a wonderful man.
Sheila Anderson
October 19, 2017
Penny and family
So sorry to hear the news about Danny..
He was such a kind gentle soul and I know how much he loved his family and friends!!
Sending love, prayers and strength during this difficult time
Xo Sheila & Stu
Jesse Casqueiro
October 19, 2017
You were always there for others...right to the very end. A true Teamster in every sense of the word. You are loved and missed.
Rick Comer
October 19, 2017
I'll always remember Dan, as the greatest guy. Always a smile and a warm hello. He always made you feel like you were his great friend. My condolences to his family.
Beverley Hebert
October 19, 2017
Dan was a sweetheart and always had a wonderful smile and great spirit. My condolences to your family. You will truly be missed. One of the good guys leaves us too soon.
Linda Belz Freeman
October 19, 2017
So sorry to hear the news of Dans passing. I had looked forward to seeing him again at our 50th reunion. So glad I got to see him 5 years ago at the last reunion. I will never forget his warm smile and great hug~ sincere sympathy to the family.
Rome Aloise
October 19, 2017
On behalf of Teamsters Local 853 and Teamsters Joint Council #7 I want to express my deepest sympathies to Dan's family. I have known Dan since we were both truck drivers and young men. Dan had a wonderful family that we was always proud of them and spoke often of them. Once he was elected as a business agent for Local 70, we would see each other often. I was always impressed by his dedication to the membership, his unwavering belief in the Union, and mostly, by his honestly and his ability to give people the blunt truth, but do it in a fashion that didn't offend them (most of the time!) Having worked closely with him in the last few years I was impressed by how smart he was and how he could get things done for the membership. I also watched him struggle with his illness and fight through it for a long time. Our organization will miss him and frankly, he is not replaceable. He was one of a kind. Rest in peace Dan, and get those angel's grievances taken care of!
October 19, 2017
Danny,
You have only changed physical form and will live on forever in my heart. Your soul was huge and caring. You left seeds of love and compassion with your family and you will forever be remembered in our hearts. I am certain that we will all dance again with you at our 100 year reunion. love Jeff
Eleanor Writer
October 19, 2017
Danny you were my friend at Halcyon...and I so looked forward to seeing you at our reunion...my love to your family...you will be truly missed!
Betty Day
October 19, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of Danny's passing! He was such a kind, warm and funny guy! I worked with him at Garret and then Local 70. When he gave me correspondence to type, half of it would be in shorthand (he taught himself while at Garret)! Loved his big smile and warm hugs! Rest In Peace Danny.
Fran Herts
October 19, 2017
I am so sad to hear that my longtime Halcyon and San Leandro High alumni has passed away. Such a warm and engaging man. Used to see him occasionally for events at Redwood Day School always welcoming me with a wonderful smile and a big hug. Rest in peace, my friend.
Sally
October 19, 2017
My friend and classmate from SLHS, RIP
Julia Ramirez
October 19, 2017
My Dearest Cousin,
You will always be in my heart. Thank you for all the great memories. Growing up with you as my older cousin was awesome. You will be missed by so many, your awesome nature touched everyone you met. God only takes the very best early he knew you were suffering so he took you to heaven. Till we met again in heaven, may you Rest in Peace.
Larry Keyes
October 19, 2017
My sincere condolences to Dan's family. He was a wonderful person.
He will be sorely missed,
Wayne Neff
October 19, 2017
Sad to hear of Danny's passing. Although I hadn't seen him in years, I always knew what a great person he was. A truly genuine great guy. Danny was always positive & gracious with his time. He will be dearly missed. Say good-bye to one of the good ones.....
Kathy Pritchard Williams
October 19, 2017
Dan you were an amazing person who I went to San Leandro High School with and enjoyed all your friendship and family updates on Facebook through the years. You were a well loved person by all who knew you and your beautiful family. May you now be their angel from above. RIP dear friend. ❤
October 18, 2017
Forever in our thoughts and our hearts. Papka family
October 18, 2017
I recall his many demonstrations of absolute love for his family. He was strong in every way, but the strength of that vital, unwavering commitment to his family made him a pillar. My condolences to you all. -- Murray Cohen
LAURIE PERMANN
October 18, 2017
to Eternal solidarity. may you forever rest in peace, brother Dan.
October 17, 2017
You have my deepest sympathy for your lost. May the God of comfort give you comfort at this time. 2 Cor 1:2-3.
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